Chapter 703: The Final Starlit Eve

The Final Starlit Eve

The feast was held beneath the Dome of Stars. In addition to being essentially the most lovely corridor within the Imperial palace, one of many few that distinguished itself from the others, it additionally suited the theme of winter solstice, complimenting the celebration of the Nice Constitution being signed.

Strolling towards the corridor, Martel positioned his hand inside his pocket and felt the letter he had written to his mom. He had imagined that after his choice had irrevocably been made, he would possibly second-guess himself or really feel remorse for the trail not chosen. However he felt solely calm; the storm that had raged in his thoughts had lastly subsided with the arrival of certainty. He wouldn’t want the letter, as he would journey with all pace dwelling as quickly as he might go away Morcaster.

He pulled out the letter and grasped it in his fist earlier than igniting flames round his hand. He shocked a number of folks strolling close by, who instantly pulled away, however he paid them no heed. He stored the spell going till nothing remained however tremendous ash. Diverting from his path to step exterior into the gardens, he blew on his palm and dispersed the stays into the bottom. He drew some stares as he returned to the hallway, however it didn’t matter. The opinions of others might now not have an effect on him or his works.

Evening arrived early this late within the yr, and the dome had begun to darken with the faint twinkling of the earliest stars already to be seen. Martel’s hand brushed over the purple velvet of his doublet, feeling the threads that fashioned a inexperienced tree. He was unsure why Eleanor had chosen this insignia for him, however he didn’t object. As lovely because the palace gardens had been, he regarded ahead to seeing actual forests, wild and plush, like these of Nordmark. With out Khivan sharpshooters hiding behind each trunk.

The ground remained clear to permit area for music and dancing. Servants moved about deftly, offering foods and drinks to the company, and Martel helped himself to both. As he stood, satisfying thirst and starvation, folks got here as much as him in a steady stream. They greeted him in varied methods, utilizing one title or one other, although he had resigned from all of them. Some added phrases of reward for his actions, which he accepted with a muttered reply. Whereas he appreciated the sentiment, he grew uninterested in exchanging phrases that usually appeared idle in nature, particularly with folks he didn’t know. And nonetheless they got here.

***

Finally, all those that sought his consideration had been granted it, for a number of moments at the very least, and Martel was allowed to be alone, albeit in a crowd of individuals. He regarded round, catching the eyes of others, at occasions accompanied by a nod or gesture. The duchess of Trior had a bunch of individuals round her. One lady needed to be the daughter that she was bartering for favours; Martel felt sorry for her, although maybe she was like her mom and took no problem with this.

Legate Miles raised his glass from throughout the room, and Martel did the identical. Caritas, the Justice of the Peace of Aquila, jested with these round him and bowed his head as he noticed Martel look at him. The excessive priest of Sol emptied his cups of wine at a formidable pace. As Martel regarded additional, his eyes fell on the duke of Cheval, who gave the impression to be pointedly avoiding him, holding his again turned to the previous captain.

Bereft of his energy as imperator, Martel might need feared that the duke would search revenge, however he judged it quite to be the reverse. Martel now not wanted Cheval’s affect or help; he was freed from all political issues. He might at any time perform his risk to burn every thing the duke owned. Attempting on Martel’s life would possibly achieve Cheval satisfaction, however he would threat every thing to take action, and given Martel’s capability to outlive assassinations and ambushes, it appeared a horrible wager to make.

“Congratulations, captain,” Honorius greeted him. She had been amongst those that had not approached him earlier.

“Thanks, captain.” It struck him that she was sufficiently old to be his mom, but for a time, they’d been equals, commanding armies that may have annihilated the Empire. Now they might each retire that rank and command.

“I stay unsure if I actually really feel this was the correct consequence. I definitely had by no means imagined it once I first got here to Morcaster,” she admitted. “However you held true to your phrase. A lesser man might need develop into enthralled to energy and clung to your title.”

“Perish the thought.”

“I can not ever reward what you will have carried out, as I nonetheless think about it rebel and oath-breaking. It isn’t one thing I want to encourage.” She turned her eyes from Martel to comb over the gang. “However I confess my reduction at the way it has all turned out. They are saying an honourable warfare is preferable to dishonourable peace, however I hardly ever hear it spoken by those that need to do the preventing.”

“Captain, you could reward or rattling me as you see match. It shall make no distinction to me. My labours are carried out.” As he mentioned the phrases, Martel felt a way of reduction, as if he had not totally realised this earlier than, or maybe by talking it, he had lastly made it true. He was not imperator, prefect, battlemage, or anything. He was merely Martel.

“In that case, once I converse of the Firebrand, maybe I shall rattling his actions and reward his title.” Honorius inclined her head and left him on his personal.

***

The legate and the prefects of the Tenth Legion had additionally been invited because the now everlasting garrison of Morcaster. They arrived after everybody else, as they’d not been current for the assembly of the Senate, and so they all went as much as pay their respects to the previous captain as effectively. Martel tolerated this higher; they’d been with him from the start when it was a single legion standing as much as the remainder of the Empire. He would all the time think about them the bravest women and men he knew.

Lara was a good selection for legate; moreover her expertise, she was reliable with no ambition that will lead her to abuse her place, and he or she would defend the brand new Senate in opposition to those that would possibly search to overthrow it.

As the one prefect, Valerius hung about. “How does it really feel, captain, to now not be captain?”

“I received’t miss it, to be trustworthy.”

“No likelihood you’ll stay within the legion then? With the brand new recruitment, we might use good prefects.”

“I’m leaving Morcaster.”

“That may be a pity to listen to.” The mageknight’s voice grew to become critical. “I owe you my life, Martel. I might not have survived the warfare within the east with out you. In the event you ever return to town, the Home of Valerius shall all the time open its doorways to you.”

He held out his hand, and Martel grasped it tightly. “I believe which will occur at some point or one other.”

Commotion grabbed their consideration, because it did for everybody else. A troupe of musicians and performers appeared. They strummed their devices and started to sing, and the celebrants joined collectively in dance.

***

“Seems like you will have a greater patron than you deserve.” Martel emptied his goblet of wine with an harmless look. “I see what their function is right here,” he continued, nodding towards the remainder of the troupe taking part in and singing, “however did you simply sneak in to get drunk off my wine?”

“From what I hear, it’s now not yours. However no, we’ll be doing a play as effectively. Your lad, the majordomo, received us a stage within the subsequent corridor. Superb how briskly these fellows can slap one thing collectively. We’ll proceed with that quickly, it’s simply prudent to get the viewers exhausted first. Makes all of them quiet and attentive, glad to be sitting down.” Regnar laughed.

“I shall stay up for it.” He gave the hedge mage a suspicious look. “This isn’t like that comedy that received you locked up, proper? In the event you make my Senate activate one another, I’ll roast you all alive.”

“We’d by no means chunk the hand that feeds us. It’s a appropriate piece, worthy of our patron,” he claimed. Martel wished he felt reassured. “I noticed you and the lass dancing collectively. What are your plans?”

“We’ll journey to Nordmark. After that, most likely Aquila.”

“Nonetheless collectively. That warms my coronary heart. Good companions for the street are laborious to search out.”

“Aye, I’m fortunate. She’s the perfect buddy I might ask for,” Martel declared. He felt Regnar stare at him. “What?”

“Lad, I’ve travelled all over the place on this continent, and I’ve seen that dance many occasions, however hardly ever anyone as clumsy as you.”

Earlier than Martel might protest, the boy Ian appeared. “Regnar! We’re preparing, you’re wanted! Hullo, Martel!”

They each disappeared, leaving the younger mage on his personal.

***

As soon as the stage was set and all of the company had refreshed themselves with loads to drink, they moved to an adjoining corridor for the efficiency. Whereas most sat on chairs immediately on the ground, balconies had been reserved for a very powerful company, together with the previous imperator and his second-in-command.

The lamps grew to become dim or extinguished, casting the corridor into darkness whereas different sources of sunshine illuminated the stage. The storyteller of the troupe started, his highly effective voice and oratory reaching all to introduce the story. Sounds of unseen thunder added additional impact to his phrases.

Martel didn’t know the play or the story it instructed, however he understood why it had been chosen. On the stage, a grotesque warfare passed off, inflicting sorrow and distress. None knew the reason for the strife anymore, but nonetheless they fought as folks prayed for peace. He shouldn’t have doubted Regnar; the troupe knew their viewers and how you can please them.

Sitting on the balcony at the hours of darkness with simply Eleanor subsequent to him, Martel felt stressed. He didn’t want to converse whereas the play continued under them, however he discovered it laborious to take a seat nonetheless. Lastly, he reached out to take Eleanor’s hand, and he or she reciprocated his grip.

***

The evening needed to finish, simply because the play did. Whether or not the applause got here as a result of the viewers loved the topic or just because so many had been drunk, Martel couldn’t say. The company started to disperse, leaving the corridor and the palace altogether.

Martel had a shorter journey dwelling, stretching solely from the balcony to his quarters. He might have made an look under to bid folks farewell, however one motive he had resigned was that he now not needed to care about appearances. Collectively, he and Eleanor went to their wing and separated, every to their very own chambers.

Martel had solely crossed the edge earlier than he stopped. In some methods, he had obtained precisely what he needed. He was free, and he would journey collectively along with her as he had hoped. Was it smart to threat any disruption to that just because he nonetheless felt her contact upon his cheek?

Martel had initiated battles with much less hesitation than this. Warning instructed him to fall asleep. He would see her tomorrow, and the day after, and so forth. He might all the time select one other time. And on this method, he might postpone till his deathbed.

He was a firemage. He favoured threat and swift motion, and he most popular disappointment over uncertainty. Rapidly, he left his chambers to knock on her door.

She opened it, nonetheless sporting her costume, although she had eliminated her jewelry. “Martel. Is one thing unsuitable?”

“There’s something I ought to inform you.” She checked out him expectantly, and he summoned his braveness. “I like you. I’ve for a very long time. If this troubles you, I received’t point out it once more.” She merely stared at him, and he continued. “I’ll gladly journey wherever on this planet as your buddy if that’s what you need. I owe you that and extra. However I didn’t need to faux both. It is best to know the reality.” He nearly tripped over the phrases, wishing he had rehearsed them beforehand.

She gave no response apart from inserting her hand on his neck and pulling his head in to kiss him. Dragging him additional again into her room, she closed the door as soon as he had crossed the edge.

***

Following the celebration, a whirlwind of exercise erupted all through the marbled halls of the Imperial palace, as the brand new Senate started assuming powers of presidency whereas additionally summoning the remaining representatives from throughout the Empire. As neither his opinion nor his signature was required anymore, no person troubled the erstwhile imperator, and it took days for any of the delegates to understand he had left the palace solely.

Whereas the captain’s presence was not mandatory any longer, the prefect of the sixth cohort carried out a short investigation to make sure nothing awry. Questioning the garrison guarding the entry factors to town led to solutions. They’d witnessed the fire-touched mage leaving the northern gate along with the previous legate of the Tenth Legion; the pair had no firm apart from one another, their steeds, and a pack animal as they left Morcaster behind.